Published Letters and Op-Eds from COK’s Writers Group

Meat-free is kinder

The Star-Ledger
January 22,  2009

As a long-time vegetarian who stopped eating meat at age 15, I enjoyed Judy Peet's article "Vegetarian diets draw teenage advocates" (Jan. 19). Just as Peet points out about teens today, my decision to become a vegetarian was based on compassion for animals.

Each year in the U.S., more than 10 billion birds, pigs, and cows are killed for food. Most of these animals are routinely subjected to practices so cruel, it would result in criminal prosecution if those same abuses were inflicted upon the dogs and cats with whom we share our homes.

It's encouraging to read that a growing number of today's youth are taking a stand against animal cruelty by choosing meat-free foods. And with so many delicious and nutritious vegetarian options available in grocery stores and restaurants everywhere, it's never been easier to adopt a more compassionate diet.

-- Erica Meier The writer is executive director of Compassion Over Killing